Wednesday, July 27, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
23
Commentary...
A time to give back
By Katy yoder
Correspondent
July marks the third anni-
versary of my cancer diagno-
sis. When I look back through
my journal entries I feel
myself sliding back to those
days of terror, exhaustion and
defiance. Until I opened my
journal and began reading,
I’d forgotten so much. Like
the day at Central Oregon
Radiology Associates when
I began hearing words like,
“irregular mammogram, sus-
picious, core sample, more
tests.” I chastised myself, “It’s
all coming to a head — over-
eating, stress, fear, being sed-
entary, procrastination, stuff-
ing emotions. It all equals this
— a body out of balance.”
I didn’t know how to
handle the situation. “More
questions than answers … too
many. My imagination goes
rogue. Feeling a strong urge
to reach out, tell people; get
their support. But fearing the
downside of trying to remem-
ber who knows and keeping
them all informed. Reach in,
not out comes to me.”
Here I am three years later
feeling better than I have in
20-plus years. Writing this
column has been such a bless-
ing. Allowing me to share this
experience and hopefully help
others while learning more
about myself. There’s nothing
like baring your soul to keep
you on the right track.
Now it’s time to repay
some of the generos-
ity I received during my
experience.
There’s a young man in
our community who needs
our help. Justin Veloso grew
up in Sisters. He’s a musi-
cian, a teacher, and a true
asset to our community. He
has been quietly fighting for
his life, undergoing surgery
and other treatments to help
him regain his health. The
financial burden of treatment
has overwhelmed his family.
I understand how easily that
can happen, even with health
insurance, the cost of treat-
ment that cancer patients are
responsible for is devastating.
When my family needed
help, this community stepped
up and helped us handle the
financial burden, and for that
we are eternally grateful. That
assistance removed some of
the stress we were dealing
with, but even more impor-
tantly than that, knowing how
many people loved, supported
and cared about us made us
stronger.
Justin needs that now and
there’s a fundraiser being
planned to make it happen.
A strong show of support
through auction item dona-
tions, financial support at the
event and after will bolster
his resolve and give him the
strength to push on.
The event is being planned
by Justin’s close friends and
those who have been touched
by his spirit of generosity and
character. On September 15, a
benefit aptly named, “One Of
Our Own,” will take place at
The Belfry with a live auction
and music provided by his
many musical friends. This
will be an evening of celebra-
tion and the chance for friends
and friends-to-be to come
together and make a differ-
ence for Justin.
There have been many
generous donations so far, but
there’s still a need for vaca-
tion properties that could be
included in travel packages.
Organizers would appreciate
donations for locations attrac-
tive for vacationers planning
their next big trip. If you have
a vacation rental, donating a
week for one of the auction
items would really help make
the evening a success.
Jeff Mornarich, who vol-
unteered his time for my
fundraiser, is once again
photo provided
Justin Veloso is in a battle with cancer.
making time out of a very
busy schedule to come over
from Roseburg and be the
auctioneer. Jeff is Jennifer
McCrystal’s brother and
has done a fantastic job as
the auctioneer at My Own
Two Hands for the last two
years. Justin has been a
server at Cottonwood Café,
and Jennifer is doing every-
thing she can to help him get
through his health challenges.
I know Justin through my
job. He’s a former Americana
Project student and he’s
taught at Song Academy for
Youth. He’s also a drumming
instructor who’s teaching
children and passing along his
love of music. I don’t know
Justin well, but that’s not the
point. He’s a member of our
community, and he needs our
help. Sisters folks have shown
many times that we know how
to support those in need better
than any place I know.
In this time of unrest, pes-
simism and divisiveness it
feels good to focus on help-
ing someone who needs it. We
can’t change the world, but
we can change the course of
someone’s life. I experienced
that firsthand and I know it’s
going to happen for Justin.
I’m so grateful to live in a
community that knows how
to step up and get things done.
See GIVE BaCK on page 29
Quilt Drawing
for
FURRY FRIEND S
501 ( c )( 3 )
FOUNDATION
100% of the proceeds go to Furry Friends Foundation.
“Friends of Furry Friends” quilt was pieced by
Valerie Fercho-Tillery. The bold colors and
incredible detail make this a spectacular quilt.
The quilt is currently on display at
The Nugget offi ce, 442 E. Main Ave.
Bring your pup by for a dog cookie and have a look!
Tickets may be purchased at The Nugget offi ce
or online at our website
www.furryfriendsfoundation.org.
Tickets are $1 each, six for $5 or
go for it, 25 for $20.
Info: 541-549-9941
“Friends of Furry Friends” - by Valerie Fercho-Tillery (46"w x 59"h)